Jessica Schwientek is a fine artist working within the expansive realm of photography, focussed primarily on process and the cathartic act of image making.

Schwientek’s work always has the human condition at its core. Expressing sadness, grief, love, exhaustion and anger they attempt to make sense of their place within existence. Schwientek uses the media of light, chemistry and pigments to construct truly fictional photographic imagery. They are a finalist in the Bowness Photography Prize 2024.

Emma Armstrong-Porter is an artist and educator who lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. They are known for their work across many disciplines, especially printmaking and chemistry-based photography. Along with Jessica Schweintek, they were the co-founder of NOIR darkroom, a gallery and photographic darkroom based in Naarm/Melbourne. They were the recipient of the 2023 Noel Counihan Art Award, the 2021 Midsumma Australia Post Arts prize, were a finalist in the 2020 Bowness Photography Prize and a finalist in the 2023 and 2024 National Photographic Portrait Prize. Emma has exhibited across Victoria and interstate, and their work is in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria as well as many private collectors.